0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:07 > 0:00:10- Secrets...
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- ..lies...
0:00:12 > 0:00:14- ..deceit...
0:00:15 > 0:00:17- ..violence.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21- Every criminal case poses a new - challenge for the detective.
0:00:24 > 0:00:29- To discover the truth, - patience and curiosity is required.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- Tonight, I travel to America - on the trail of the Welshman...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- ..accused of raping - a ten-year-old girl.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- I meet the man who translated - his defence into Welsh.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- Seeing someone so young in handcuffs - was quite disturbing.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- I hear astounding evidence from - the detectives who questioned him.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- This is an absolute, serious, - severe crime.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10- I visit the prison which will be - his home for the next fifty years.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12- He actually got what he deserved.
0:01:33 > 0:01:34- Seattle.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37- The largest city - in the north west of the USA.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- A city famous for its harbour, - cityscape and cafes.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- But, in April 2015, when a Welshman - flew 5,000 miles to get here...
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- ..he didn't come to visit the city.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17- Today, I'm travelling 300 miles - south of Seattle...
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- ..to the state of Oregon.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26- There, in the town of Eugene, - in April 2015...
0:02:26 > 0:02:29- ..the police received - an emergency call.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- A little girl was missing.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- Even though the police found her - walking the streets...
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- ..her grandmother suspected - that she had been raped.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- I responded to a call from a local - hospital about a sexual assault.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55- The caller was the victim's - grandmother reporting the incident.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- According to the girl, - she had been with a Welshman...
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- ..after starting a relationship - with him on the Internet.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- She was only ten years old.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- On the grandmother's phone...
0:03:20 > 0:03:25- ..police found evidence of the - relationship and the man's profile.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- It was a profile picture of a male - with a first name of Garrett.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- There was a last name of Williamson.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- There was a text communication - on the phone.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- Also on the phone, were photos - and videos of a sexual nature.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51- With the age of the victim, - and the circumstances around it...
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- ..it was very shocking.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- An investigation was launched.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- Eugene detectives began to analyse - the phone evidence.
0:04:06 > 0:04:12- They met when he contacted her - on a chat site called ooVoo.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- She accepted the request.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- She realized - in fairly short order...
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- ..that the person - she thought she was talking to...
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- ..wasn't the real person.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- By that I mean, he pretended - to be two girls.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33- He played a video to convince her...
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- ..that she was chatting to two girls - aged nine and fourteen...
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- ..before telling her that he was - a man from North Wales...
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- ..called Garrett Williamson.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48- Later, the police discovered - that his real name was Gareth Hall.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- Gareth is a perfect example of - someone trawling the Internet...
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- ..looking for someone to groom.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- He picked on a vulnerable person.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- This girl was looking for love - - what she thought true love was.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- He preyed upon that.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- The girl had had a difficult life.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Her father was in prison - and her mother was on drugs.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- She was in the care - of her grandmother.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- She had been stealing her phone...
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- ..to communicate with the Welshman - for over a month.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- This is a communication - from the victim to Gareth.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- She texts him...
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- .."I have died every day - waiting for you, darling.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32- "I have loved you - for a thousand years...
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- "..and I'll love you - for a thousand more."
0:05:35 > 0:05:41- She's ten years old and it shows - the lack of maturity she exhibits.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- Her inability to discern fantasy - from reality.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- He said things like "I love you - and I want to be with you."
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- "We're going to have sex - and it will be great and magical."
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- They talked about moving away - to Australia.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57- It was, on his part...
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- ..a deception from beginning to end - for one purpose.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- Gareth Hall told her that he would - travel over there to see her.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- After flying from London to Paris, - and then to Seattle...
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- ..he texted the girl to say - that he had landed.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- It's likely that Gareth Hall - drove to Eugene during the night...
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- ..and went to the grandmother's - house where the girl lived.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- He knocked on her bedroom window - and she came out to see him.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- She went with him - to a nearby park...
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- ..where he raped her - in the back of the car.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- After being raped, - she kept it all a secret.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- But in her evidence to police...
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- ..she said she'd worn - her princess frock...
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- ..and left the house - barefoot to meet him.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- The things that happened - were very horrific.
0:07:16 > 0:07:22- For her, there was some fantasy - of what she wanted life to be like.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- She's ten and wanted to be - a grown-up.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- The following night, he took the - girl out to a restaurant...
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- ..on the outskirts of Eugene...
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- ..before taking her to a room - in the Budget Lodge...
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- ..where the girl said - they had a bubble bath.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- Gareth Hall had a GoPro camera.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- He had been to a shop - to buy sex goods for her...
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- ..including strawberry lubricant - and a vibrator.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- It was here that he raped her again.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- The next day, Gareth Hall moved - to another hotel.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- This is it, - where the big blue sign is here.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- He lured the girl there - and raped her again.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- But he left some evidence behind.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Did you have any important - information...
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- ..from this location - that helped you with the case?
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- From the registration information...
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- ..we were able to obtain Mr Hall's - rental car information...
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- ..and verify it - with the rental company.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- We then found the vehicle and got - the DNA evidence of the sex acts.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- This is the registration he made...
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- ..from the hotels he was staying at.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- It shows his name on this card.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- He signed it and included - his passport number...
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- ..which was one digit off - from the actual one.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- Possibly to conceal his identity.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- This is how police confirmed - that his name was Gareth Hall...
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- ..and that he was from Wales.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- But, by then, the 22-year-old man - had left America...
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- ..and was back home in the village - of Talysarn, near Caernarfon.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- He was already known to North Wales - Police who had arrested him...
0:09:27 > 0:09:32- ..on suspicion of having indecent - images of children on his computer.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- He'd been released on bail - while police investigated...
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- ..and suspended from his job - at Arfon Leisure and Tennis Centre.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Detectives in Wales - were still investigating...
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- ..when Gareth Hall - travelled to America.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- But the FBI and detectives in Eugene - discovered that he had booked...
0:10:16 > 0:10:21- ..to fly to America once again, just - a fortnight after arriving home.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- They knew that he would be flying...
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- ..from Manchester to Chicago - on May 2.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- When we found out - that he was coming back to the US...
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- ..I immediately assumed - that he was coming back...
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- ..to do the same thing - to someone else.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- We found out that his final - destination was not Chicago.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- He was not going back to Oregon, - but heading to the middle of the US.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- The detectives travelled to Chicago - in the hope of catching him...
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- ..before he evaded their grasp - once again.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- We got to Chicago and we found out - that he was on the flight...
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- ..and that he would be landing - in approximately six hours.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- We were absolutely ecstatic - at that point.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- Gareth Hall was on his way back to - America, but where was he going?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- And what did he intend to do?
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- He didn't know that the detectives - were waiting for him.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24- .
0:11:33 > 0:11:33- Subtitles
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- I'm in America, following the - footsteps of the Welshman...
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- ..who came to Oregon - to rape a ten-year-old girl.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- A fortnight after Gareth Hall - returned to Wales...
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- ..he was on his way back to America.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- But detectives were waiting for him - at Chicago airport.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- He was arrested while on board - the aeroplane.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- When questioned - he admitted having sex...
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- ..with the ten-year-old girl - from Eugene.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- But he denied knowing her age.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- The age of sexual consent - in Oregon is 18.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- He said that, at the time that they - chatted, she purported to be 17.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- But said that she would be 18 soon - as it was going to be her birthday.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- And that then they would be able to - engage in sex once she turned 18.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- She disclosed to us that she - initially told him...
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- ..that she was 14 years old, - but later told him that she was 10.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- I've had a lot of interaction - with this girl.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- There is nothing about - her mannerisms...
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- ..that would indicate - she's any older.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- She looked like a little kid.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- Gareth asks the victim...
0:13:00 > 0:13:05- .."so what you thought about - the time we spent together?"
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- And she responded, "I thought about - pink, fluffy, unicorns."
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- Continuing that, "the unicorns - were dancing on rainbows."
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- When detectives asked him why - he had returned to the country...
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- ..he asked for a solicitor.
0:13:32 > 0:13:38- Gareth's return to the US lacked - a lot of explanation and logic.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- He said that he was coming back - to the United States...
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- ..to go to Kansas to find a place - where he could shoot some guns...
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- ..and just look around.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- The detectives knew that he'd been - to America before...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- ..to work at a camp - for disabled children.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- They feared that this was not - the first time he'd offended.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- I believe the possibility of Gareth - having other victims...
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- ..or potential victims - in the US is very real.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13- The FBI were worried that he'd been - in contact with more children.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18- They made a nationwide appeal asking - for any information about him...
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- ..and his movements - during his time here.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Gareth Hall was transported - back to Eugene...
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- ..and held at the Lane County Adult - Corrections Division.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41- The bail was set at 1.5 million.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- He asked for a Welsh translator - to assist him in court.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- The New York Welsh Government office - searched for a translator...
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- ..on behalf of the court - in Lane County...
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- ..and this Welshman received a call - asking him to do the work.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- Why did Gareth Hall feel that - he needed a translator in court?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- Because Welsh is his first language.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- In a case like this, - it being so serious, naturally...
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- ..he didn't want to address - the court in his second language.
0:15:19 > 0:15:25- In court, the translator met - the defendant for the first time.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- One of the first things that struck - me when I walked in...
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- ..was that this was real life, - not Perry Mason.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40- We've all seen American court cases - on television.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- This particular case - was extremely serious.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50- I remember that he was wearing - orange prison clothes.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- His feet were in chains - and he was handcuffed.
0:15:55 > 0:16:01- Seeing someone so young in handcuffs - was quite disturbing.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- The judge came in and sat - right in front of Gareth...
0:16:08 > 0:16:14- ..and outlined what would happen - if he pleaded guilty or innocent...
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- ..and whether his case would be - tried by jury or without a jury.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- Gareth Hall faced a series - of charges.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- Four charges of raping - an under-age girl.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- Two charges of sodomy. - One charge of kidnapping.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35- And one charge of sexual grooming - of a child online.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- After some discussion...
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- ..the prosecution dropped - the kidnapping charge.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- It was time for Gareth Hall - to enter his plea.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48- He pleaded guilty - to all other charges.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- In this court document, it says...
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- .."I enter the guilty pleas because - I am guilty of these crimes.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01- "I offer my plea of guilty freely - and voluntarily, of my own accord.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- "With a full understanding - of the charge...
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- "..and of what I am giving up - by this plea."
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- By pleading guilty, - Gareth Hall avoided a full trial.
0:17:17 > 0:17:23- But, on St David's Day, 2016, he was - back in court to be sentenced.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- The room was full because the press - was there as well as the police.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37- The judge outlined the background of - the case and the sentencing options.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- The least he could expect - was about 25 years...
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- ..and the most was 50 years.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- After the lawyers' statements...
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- ..the judge allowed the family - to address the court.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- The girl's grandmother voiced - her feelings.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- She called Gareth Hall - a terrorist...
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- ..and said that her granddaughter - had fallen into a trap...
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- ..and that what he did had - completely destroyed her family.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- Then, Gareth Hall was allowed - to speak.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- He said in Welsh, that he was sorry - about everything that had happened.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- And that he hadn't realized - that the girl was so young.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- That's all he said. - That's all I translated.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- But Judge Jay McAlpin didn't agree.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- After seeing photos - of the ten-year-old girl...
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- ..he told the defence - that, in his opinion...
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- ..this wasn't an innocent mistake.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- He pronounced the sentence. - It was the maximum.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- Fifty years without parole.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- He was certainly shocked. - It was a blow.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- I didn't have to translate - anything for him.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- But he didn't understand - why he'd been given the maximum.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- There was an argument made - that a sentence of fifty years...
0:19:05 > 0:19:07- ..can be more than murder.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- In some cases, that's true.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- In this case, given what he did - to a ten-year-old repeatedly...
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- ..and the laws that we have here...
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- ..he actually got what he deserved.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- Five hours drive to the east of - Eugene, is the town of Pendleton.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46- This is where the Eastern Oregon - Correctional Institution is located.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53- Gareth Hall is now one of 1,700 - prisoners locked up here.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- He is on a housing unit...
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- ..and he shares his cell - with one other inmate.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- Prisoners have to work every day.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- Some in the kitchens - and laundries...
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- ..and others in a factory - that produces their own denim.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13- The prison blues.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- Although they have the right - to family visits...
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- ..opportunities to communicate - with the outside world are few.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- There are stringent safety rules.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- The prison won't allow us - to film inside.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- They are concerned about security.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- They say that allowing one of their - inmates to be interviewed...
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- ..would attract - unwanted attention...
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- ..and this could interfere with - Gareth Hall's rehabilitation.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- But, although our request to talk - to him was refused...
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- ..Gareth Hall responded to us - by letter.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- He said that at the moment, - he isn't ready to tell his story...
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- ..because of his restricted - circumstances.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- He said he would contact us - in the near future.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- He signs himself, - Yours sincerely, Gareth.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- Catching sex offenders who operate - online is a huge challenge...
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- ..for police forces - across the world.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- Protecting children and young people - from those dangers...
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- ..is more difficult than ever.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- Gareth Hall would certainly have had - a much lighter sentence in Britain.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- But here, in Oregon, - the message is clear.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- This case should act as a warning - to any child sex offender.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- This is not something - that is taken lightly.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- This is an absolute, serious, - severe crime.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- Gareth was held accountable.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Anybody else who attempts - similar actions...
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- ..would be held accountable - in the same manner.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- North Wales Police are still - examining Gareth Hall's computers.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- The FBI are still appealing - for information...
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- ..about any further offences - in America.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- Knowing that the person's - no longer out there...
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- ..makes me feel that we did our job.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- Gareth Hall may well be - in his seventies...
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- ..before he is allowed - to leave prison.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- But it's a life sentence for the - little girl he raped and her family.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- They have to live with what he did.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- The victim is going to have to - figure out how to deal with this...
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- ..throughout her life, - throughout that fairy tale...
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- ..of getting married - and falling in love.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- This will always haunt her - and will always be her demon.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- Those type of predators don't ever - belong back on our streets...
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- ..in America, in Wales, anywhere, - because children are sacred.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:56 > 0:23:56- .